The scene of the crash on the A47 at Honingham. Picture: Norfolk Police

David Holmes, 38, was riding his silver Yamaha towards Norwich from King’s Lynn on June 8 last year when he crashed with a Renault Clio travelling in the opposite direction, an inquest heard yesterday.

Mr Holmes, a former North Walsham High School and Paston College pupil, had been at a bike meeting in King’s Lynn and was making his way back along the A47 to his home in Sprowston.

The inquest heard the Clio had taken the correct position in the road to turn at a crossroads as the Yamaha travelling in the opposite direction went to overtake.

As the gaps between the two vehicles closed, the Clio had turned right across the path of the motorcycle and Mr Holmes was thrown from his bike into a nearby hedgerow.

A motorcycle hearse carrying David Holmes, who died in a motorcycle crash on the A47, arrives at his funeral at St Faiths Crematorium with a cavalcade of bikers. PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY

There was a digital recording of Mr Holmes’ journey from King’s Lynn.

Speaking at yesterday’s inquest, PC Graham Brooks said both motorists would have been in each other’s available view for seven seconds before impact.

PC Brooks said: “The average speed of the motorcycle was almost 97 miles an hour, well above the 60 mile per hour limit.”

He said the footage showed Mr Holmes had made no obvious acknowledgement of his speed and showed a disregard for his own safety.

He said: “If the Yamaha had been driving at 60 miles per hour the collision could have been avoided.”

PC Brooks said there was no reason why the driver of the Clio, Benjamin Austin, had failed to see Mr Holmes approaching on his bike.

He said: “Witnesses behind Mr Austin say they had seen it and were aware of its presence.”

Austin pleaded guilty in April to causing death by careless driving, admitting he had not seen Mr Holmes.

Assistant coroner Johanna Thompson said Mr Holmes had lost control and collided with the Clio.

Emergency services were called and attempts were made to revive him but he was confirmed dead at the scene.

Ms Thompson said: “Mr Holmes sadly died as a result of a road traffic collision. I offer my sympathy to his family, it must be very difficult.”

Speaking outside the inquest yesterday, Mr Holmes’ sister Emma said he was still very sadly missed.

And his mother Bren said: “We are pleased the investigation is over, it has been over a year since he died.”

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